Reviewed by Melanie Kennedy for Readers' Favorite

The Pet Doctor’s Shoes: True Tales from the Trenches of Veterinary Medicine by Dr. Phil Caldwell is a funny and occasionally emotional collection of stories about being a veterinarian. Dr. Phil regales readers with multiple tales in his twenty-six years of practicing veterinarian medicine. From his experiences at university, stressful situations with birds and iguanas, and even a sugar glider, Dr. Phil has seen his fair share of animals. He pulls back the curtain on the treatment room and reveals interesting stories about what happens when he treats the pets, and sometimes, to his dismay, when the human customers also require a consultation. Dr. Phil sets out the highs and lows of being a veterinarian beautifully.

Dr. Phil Caldwell thanks his Grade 13 English teacher for praising his writing. I would like to thank her as well for giving Dr. Phil the motivation to write this book. I love animals and loved reading all the stories told in The Pet Doctor’s Shoes. Most are funny and witty, highlighting his great writing skills and making me smile and laugh. Some are sad, as would be expected in any medical situation, but as a dog-lover, they tugged at my heartstrings. A lot of the stories are very informative and educational. I now know exactly what not to do at a vet clinic lest I be immortalized in a book one day. Dr. Phil expertly catches the essence of what I think a good vet should be and now I know my dog and other animals are in safe hands if all vets are like Dr. Phil.